Tag Archives: movies

An Unusual Find in a Pattern Envelope

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 This evening I started the mad task of organizing my personal sewing supplies as well as things to be listed on Etsy.  I came across this pattern in a bin of patterns to sell and thought, “hmm… this seems awfully thick for such a slim dress.”  I wasn’t sure what I was going to find… wads of newspaper pieces?  A mystery pattern inside this one?  I had seen both before, as well as scraps of fabric, bits of thread, notes, but this was a new one!

A whole mock up of the dress bodice, complete with hand basted seams and darts!

Maybe the maker was paying attention in Home Economics during the “Patterns for Smartness” film.  I swear, I learned more from this clip than I did in fashion school about assembling patterns and making mock ups!

Have you had any unusual finds in pattern envelopes lately?

And did you learn anything new from the video? It’s one of my favorites :)

Current Sewing Inspiration: Glamorous Film Costumes

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Costume College is sneaking up on me really fast.  The theme this year is the Golden Age of Hollywood, so I’ve been madly trying to come up with some classic film worthy gowns!  Last year I made one gown inspired by classic Hollywood (you might remember if from this post)- and then the theme for this year was announced- so I grabbed at the chance to further indulge my inner classic movie fan. So far I’ve got two new gowns I’m taking with me this year- one 1930s and one 1940s.  I’m not sharing pictures yet, but here’s what I’ve been inspired by:

Sequins!

Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford

Dorothy Lamour

Fringe!

Katherine Alexander

Ginger Rogers

Gored Dance-Worthy Skirts!

Carole Lombard

All images property of Doctor Macro

I’m also teaching two classes this year.  If you’re attending make sure you come say “hi”, and take my classes if you can.  They are “De-coding Vintage Patterns” and “Building a Basic 1930s/1940s Wardrobe.”

Eight Favorite 1940s Movies for Fashion

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I’m all inspired by 1940s fashion right now! I thought, to share inspiration, I’d pass on some of my top favorite 1940s movies for fashion and costume design.

In no particular order:

#1- Cover Girl(1944).  Rita Hayworth, Gene Kelly.  Costume Design by Travis Banton, Muriel King, and Gwen Wakeling

Image source: Nancy Girl Blog- Go to the post for great screen shots of this film.

#2- Pin Up Girl (1944)- Betty Grable, Martha Raye.  Costume Design by René Hubert.

Image Source: Andi B. Goode on retroaesthetics on Livejournal.  Check out the link for more great screen caps.

#3- The Philadelphia Story (1940)- Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart.  Gowns by Gilbert Adrian.

Image Source: Vili Flik Blog.

#4- State Fair (1945)- Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews.  Costume Design: René Hubert.

Image source: Ruffles & Whiskers blog.

#5- Casablanca (1943)- Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart.  Costume Design: Gowns by Orry-Kelly.

Image Source: Fashionable Forties. Check out the blog post for more great images.

#6- Now, Voyager (1942).  Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains.  Costume Design: Edith Head.

Image source: She’s in Vogue blog. Check out the link for more images.

#7- Ball of Fire (1941)- Barbara Stanwyk, Gary Cooper.  Costume Design by Edith Head.

Image Source: Screwball Cinema Blog.

#8- The Lady Eve (1941)- Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda.  Costume Design by Edith Head.

Image Source: Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule

What are your favorite 1940s films for fashion?